Legere Starts Petition for Consumers to Call on AT&T, Verizon and
Sprint to End Overages

April 14, 2014 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) today shifted the national conversation
on wireless to a new level, unveiling its latest Un-carrier move – a
campaign to eliminate overage penalties, one of the most reviled
wireless industry practices. While abolishing overages for all
customers on T-Mobile consumer plans, its CEO has also laid down a
challenge to the nation’s largest carriers, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, to
do the same.

More than 20 million Americans were hit with punitive overage charges in
2013. And these penalties from the three largest U.S. carriers take more
than an incredible $1 billion out of consumers’ pockets every year.

“Today I’m laying down a challenge to AT&T, Verizon and Sprint to join
T-Mobile in ending these outrageous overage penalties for all consumers
– because it’s the right thing to do,” said John Legere, president and
CEO of T-Mobile. “Overage fees are flat out wrong. Agree with me? Join
me in putting this challenge to all the major national carriers by
signing my petition on Change.org. Right
here. Take one minute to be a part of this consumer movement.”

Last year, T-Mobile banished annual service contracts and began phasing
out overage charges with the launch of Simple Choice. T-Mobile’s stance
against annual service contracts is now well known by consumers, and
today it's taking on the even more unpopular and unjustified practice of
slamming consumers with surprise bills in the form of overages charges.

“Charging overage fees is a greedy, predatory practice that needs to
go,” continued Legere. “Starting in May for bills arriving in June –
regardless of whether you’re on Simple Choice, Simple Starter or an
older plan, we’re abolishing overages for good. Period.”

Traditional carriers’ entry-level plans lure customers in with a low
monthly fee for a fixed amount of domestic minutes, texts or data. Once
consumers go over those limits – even by a little – they’re hit with
much higher rates, often dramatically higher. These plans are
purpose-built to drive customers over that invisible line into massive
overage charges. The result has been a culture of fear, worry and
surprise every time the wireless bill arrives. For example, an
individual on AT&Ts entry-level plan, advertised at $45 per month, will
pay $125 if he uses just the average amount of data for a U.S.
smartphone user (1.5 GB per person).

“The worst thing about these overage fees is that they’re often
inflicted on those who can least afford them,” added Legere. “As an
advocate for consumers, we’re putting a stop to that. I personally won’t
be satisfied until we obliterate this shameful practice from the entire
wireless industry.”

To give a voice to U.S. wireless consumers, Legere has started an online
petition at Change.org/AbolishOverages
calling on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint to end overages. You are invited to
sign the petition and add your voice to the growing movement to rid the
wireless industry of domestic overages once and for all.

Overage estimates from third party bill screening report surveying over
20,000 wireless customers multiplied by major U.S. carriers’ reported
postpaid subscribers. No overages for U.S. domestic calls, texts, and
data usage only. Visit a T-Mobile store for details. As always, we
encourage customers to review their plans and features, and talk with
our retail associates to make sure their current wireless service gives
them everything they need.

About T-Mobile US, Inc.

As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: "TMUS") is redefining
the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading
product and service innovation. The company's advanced nationwide 4G and
4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers
who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue,
Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and
operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It currently serves
approximately 46.7 million wireless subscribers and provides products
and services through approximately 70,000 points of distribution,
including approximately 8,000 T-Mobile and MetroPCS branded locations
and 62,000 third-party locations, as well as distribution through our
websites. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.